Overview
- The Geminid meteor shower is forecast to peak the nights of Dec. 13–14, with recommended viewing around 10 p.m. looking east, where meteors will appear near bright Jupiter.
- Observers in very dark conditions could see up to about 120 meteors per hour, though actual rates vary widely with light pollution, moonlight and weather.
- The Geminids stem from debris shed by asteroid 3200 Phaethon and are noted for bright, often colorful streaks.
- A close pairing of the Moon and Jupiter is expected on Dec. 7, with the best view around 11 p.m., an apparent alignment that NASA notes is a line-of-sight effect.
- Comet 3I/ATLAS reaches its closest approach on Dec. 19 at roughly 170 million miles from Earth, likely requiring a telescope and best spotted pre-dawn to the east–northeast near Regulus in Leo.